A hitman who carried out the “contract killing” of a skip hire boss by blasting him with a sawn-off shotgun as he lay in bed has been jailed for a minimum of 37 years.

David Harrison, 63, was convicted by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court of murdering Richard Deakin, 27, after a jury deliberated for over two days.

Darryl Dickens, 34, of Powells Place, Bradley, Bilston, was also convicted of murder.

Mr Justice Evans passed life sentences on both men and ordered that Dickens remain in jail for a minimum of 30 years before his release could be considered.

Harrison, of Rainbow Street, Bilston, and Dickens showed no emotion when the verdicts were delivered.

They had both denied the charge.

Darryl Dickens

In passing sentence the Judge said: “Richard Deakin was shot in his bed with a sawn-off double barrelled shotgun. ‘‘You Harrison were the shooter. You were driven to the place where you executed Richard Deakin by you Dickens.

‘‘This was a carefully planned and professionally executed contract killing. You were paid to carry out this murder by people who are still at large.

‘‘Those involved in the carrying out of this enterprise went way beyond you. How many it is quite impossible to say.”

The judge said that it was likely that Harrison would now die in prison.

Afterwards the victim’s mother, Carol Deakin, said “I am delighted with the outcome for Richard.

‘‘The most important thing now is that we convict the person who ordered the murder of Richard. That man knows who he is.

‘‘I will not rest until the day I am in court and seeing him going down for 37 years.”

Richard Deakin and CCTV footage of an intruder at his house

The court heard that on the weekend before the killing Mr Deakin had proposed to his partner Megan.

On the morning of July 5 2010, Megan left the family home in Chasetown, near Lichfield, with their two children.

Shortly afterwards Harrison, wearing a balaclava, was captured on CCTV as he went into the address - where he shot Mr Deakin.

Michael Burrows QC, prosecuting, said Harrison was arrested almost a year later after a former criminal accomplice recognised him from footage shown on Crimewatch.

Another man, John Anslow, 32 and from Tipton, who had been charged with murdering Mr Deakin is still on the run after being busted out of a prison van by a masked gang in January.